Bank of Korea 1947 1 Won (Watermark Variety) – Graded Banknote

Product Description

This 1947 North Korean 1-won banknote (original watermark of the Workers, Peasants, and Paektu Mountain, Pick #8a) was the first legal tender issued in North Korea in its founding year. The entire set was printed by the Goznak Printing Plant in the Soviet Union. It is a classic worker-peasant themed banknote from the early days of East Asian republics. The original banknote with the pattern watermark is extremely rare. This particular note is a high-grade, uncirculated specimen, making it a top-tier collectible for North Korean banknote collectors.

Front View Details

• The left side features the words "North Korean Central Bank Note" in traditional Chinese characters arranged vertically, bordered with a red and green Chinese-style scrollwork border. The four corners are marked with the Arabic numeral "1" and the Korean denomination "일".

• The central image depicts workers and farmers at work, with the farmer carrying a hoe and the worker holding a hammer. The background shows factory facilities, portraying a scene of post-war reconstruction.

• Below the portraits is the artistic Korean script "일원 (One Yen)," surrounded by a traditional meander pattern. The entire note is printed using red and green intaglio printing.

• The right side of the note features the legal tender terms in traditional Chinese characters and is stamped with the official red seal of the "North Korean Central Bank." This particular note has the unique serial number: ㅁㅇ 110671.

• The entire surface is covered with a finely detailed wavy security mesh pattern. The note blends traditional Chinese patterns with Soviet-style banknote design, creating a nuanced and layered effect.

Reverse Details

• The top of the image features the Korean name "조선인민공화국 (People's Republic of Korea)" within a green floral frame;

• The central image is a three-dimensional, layered panoramic view of Mount Paektu, with meticulously depicted mountain forests and rock textures, a landmark geographical symbol of North Korea;

• The left and right sides of the image are vertically arranged with the Korean characters "일원" and the traditional Chinese characters "壹圆" (One Won), respectively, with decorative numerals "1" symmetrically placed at the top and bottom corners;

• The bottom engraved label clearly indicates the year of issue, 1947, featuring a full-page European-style scrolling floral anti-counterfeiting design against a light green and brown two-tone interwoven fine mesh background;

• The original version of this banknote uniquely possesses a pattern watermark anti-counterfeiting feature, while later reprints lack this watermark, resulting in a significant difference in collectible value between the two.

Condition Description

This banknote has been certified and sealed by TQG, an internationally recognized authority in banknote authentication, and received a grade of 64 EPQD Choice Uncirculated (a top-tier uncirculated banknote with bonus points for excellent paper quality details). The banknote exhibits no circulation creases, edge wear, tears, or mold; the original paper is crisp and intact, untouched by washing, ironing, or other artificial repairs. The portraits of workers and peasants on the obverse and the engraving lines of Mount Paektu on the reverse are crystal clear; the ink in the Chinese characters, Korean script, and serial number is rich, full, and unfaded. A transparent, anti-oxidation seal protects the banknote intact, and the seal has an independent barcode (0101607-017) that can be scanned to access the complete official authentication record. Rarity：4.5 stars; high-grade uncirculated original banknotes of this denomination are extremely rare.

Specifications

Issuing Country：North Korea (Korean People's Republic)

Catalogue Number：Pick#8a (Original Watermark Version)

Printing Plant：Goznak Printing Plant, USSR

Theme：Workers and peasants on the obverse, Mount Paektu on the reverse

Printing Process：Intaglio engraving, two-color printing

Unique Features：Pattern watermark, Traditional Chinese characters + Korean bilingual font

Authentication Information：TQG 64 EPQD, 4.5-star rarity, EPQD Excellent Paper Detail Certification